Curated OER
Unit Plan for Mark Twain and American Humor
Students create brochures about the humor of Mark Twain. For this literature-analysis lesson plan, students read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and other short stories by Twain. Students write analytical paragraphs and...
Curated OER
The Nineteenth Amendment: Susan B. Anthony
What would your scholars do if Susan B. Anthony walked into class? Shock them to attention with this instructional activity, which has the school secretary (or any willing participant) dress as the famous suffragette and answer questions...
Professional Development Institute
Which Is More Important?
Think about the roles of hunters and squaws in Elizabeth George Speare's The Sign of the Beaver. Whose work is more important? Young writers compare Attean and Matt's reaction to each gender's role, as well as arguing their opinion...
Curated OER
The Chinese Rites Controversy: A Case Study in Cross-Cultural Exchange and Cross-Cultural Conflict
Pupils examine the various groups involved in the Rites Controversy of China. They participate in a simulation of representatives involved in the Rites Controversy, conduct research, write a persuasive paper, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Packaging Your Product!
Fifth graders discuss the functions, benefits and drawbacks of packaging. In this product package lesson students design alternative packaging and write an essay to deal with the issues of packaging.
Curated OER
Germans and Irish in Augusta and Franklin Counties
High schoolers examine 19th century newspapers, a last and testament, and census manuscripts to analyze the Irish and German immigrant communities in the 1850s and 1860s. They write a letter from the perspective of an Irish or German...
Curated OER
Land is the Basis of All Independence
Students develop debating and analytical thinking skills. They take a position in the Back-to-Africa discussion, based upon any readings and the two opposing essays they read. In groups, they discuss an issue from two different points...
Curated OER
Oregon Trail Art
Pupils describe events that happened on the Oregon Trail and in the daily lives of Native Americans by writing a narrative essay of a family traveling through Nebraska based on Thomas Hart Benton's paintings.
Curated OER
What's in a Picture Book?
Students analyze Appalachian folktale picture books. They read and analyze various Appalachian picture books, answer discussion questions, and in small groups complete a handout, and write an essay analyzing the text and illustrations of...
Curated OER
Art and Anatomy: The Vitruvian Teen
Students are introduced to the history of showing the human anatomy. In groups, they measure their height and arm spans to create a graph and determine if their measurements support Vitruvius' work. Individually, they make their own...
Curated OER
A Look at U.S. and Canadian Approaches to Individual Liberties
Students compare and contrast Canadian and U.S. policies regarding social issues. In this sociology lesson, students research social and governance policies in the countries and write personal essays using their findings.
Curated OER
Viewpoint of the Native American
Students compare how Native Americans were treated long ago to how they are treated today. They write an essay from the perspective of a Native American from their time period explaining their side with details supporting their views.
Curated OER
Art or Artifact?
Young scholars analyze and discuss illustrations of the New World by John White. They examine the images, answer questions about each one, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Interpreting Photographs
Students examine photographs and complete research on river transportation. They describe the beginnings and innovations of the steamboats. Students research the development of trade from the 1700s through the 1800s. They write a...
Curated OER
The Great Scientific Debate
Fourth graders examine scientific issues that affect the public by debating their classmates. They also write brief essays that show they have learned how to express their reasons for their pros and cons of a particular topic.
Curated OER
Graphing Heart Rates
Young scholars explore heart rates. They record pulse rates, predict which exercises cause a faster heart rate, make a chart, and graph the results. Students write an essay using the data to support their predictions. They write a...
Curated OER
Water, Water, Everywhere (High School)
Learners view different types of water to make the point that salt or polluted water isn't useful for drinking water. They chart causes, consequences and solutions to water scarcity based on internet research. They write an essay as...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Encounters with Native Americans
High schoolers research what the exchange was between the various Native American groups and Lewis and Clark. They are able to write reflections after truly considering the issue with the help of research.
Curated OER
Top 10s in Canada
Young scholars examine major individuals and events that took place in Canadian history to create a Top 10 List. They write an essay explaining why top 10 lists are popular and useful.
Curated OER
Natural Resources and Ancient Cities
High schoolers explain how the availability of natural resources has affected human settlement patterns. They recognize the interactions of human populations on environments and compare the growth of two ancient cities in relation to...
Curated OER
An Untold Triumph
High schoolers examine and analyze the history and experience of Filipinos in Hawaii and California. They identify the contributions of Filipino Americans to the US war effort in World War II, and analyze the many causes that led to...
Curated OER
"Pleading the Fifth" Self-Incrimination and the Fifth Amendment
Students examine how the Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination. They apply it to hypothetical situations by role playing as judges.
Curated OER
Twentieth Century Entertainment: When Work is Done
Students determine how Americans enjoy leisure time. In this 20th century America lesson, students research primary sources to study how Americans gained leisure time during the century and what they did with it.
Historical Thinking Matters
Rosa Parks: 5 Day Lesson
What led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and how might historians approach this question differently? This rich series of lessons includes a short introductory video clip, analysis of six primary source documents, and...